Chapter 114: The Unfortunate Incident At The Night Inn (3)

Chapter 114: The Unfortunate Incident At The Night Inn (3)

Within the major sects, especially those with history and tradition like the Shaolin Temple and the Wudang Sect, respect from the common folk was common.

Their influence even extended to the government.

Many noble families, including generals and military officers, had their members as disciples of these sects.

What about the Seven Great Clans? Both the Namgung and the Moyong clans had connections with the government.

In this regard, the Baek Noble Clan was even more special.

Apart from their inherent martial strength, they were among the most prestigious families. Several members of the Baek family were in the current royal court.

Even the Magistrate of Xian would humbly seek favors from the Clan Head of the Baek Clan. To hold ones head high in front of Baek Ryu-san, one would need to be at least a provincial governor or a grand coordinator.

About 20 years ago, the name of the Baek Clan rose even higher for a specific reason.

Baek Ryu-san, the Clan Head of the Baek Clan, married someone related to the Imperial family.

Even after the death of Yi-gangs mother, the symbolic significance of this remained.

Simply put, Yi-gang, the eldest son of the Baek Clan, was as good as a high-ranking official to the local administrators.

Yes, thats right. Please, take a seat here comfortably.

Thats why the previously arrogant head of the guards changed his attitude completely.

Would you like to meet Lord Ji-hyun? He would likely want to greet you.

Thats alright. What would a commoner like me do there.

A commoner? How could I!

Its fine.

Yes!

Upon hearing that Yi-gang was a disciple of the Azure Forest, the previously stiff head of the guards changed his demeanor completely after learning he was from the Baek Noble Clan, rubbing his hands together and fawning over Yi-gang.

This sight greatly disgusted Dam Hyun.

Really now.

What?

He thinks hes so great

Dam Hyun came from a family of slash-and-burn farmers.

He couldnt even obtain a simple family plaque and was not even treated as a commoner.

To ordinary commoners, the guards and local administrators were already difficult and intimidating figures, let alone for slash-and-burn farmers.

A single mistake could lead to the destruction of an entire village. For them, the guards and soldiers were more terrifying than tigers.

So, it was natural for him to feel complex emotions seeing a head of the guards groveling before his junior brother.

Its a good thing, isnt it? If it werent for me, things could have gotten really troublesome.

Thats true.

Dam Hyun reluctantly nodded in agreement.

As soon as Yi-gang revealed his identity, the head of the guards earnestly listened to their statements, and Yi-gang and Dam Hyun were quickly cleared of any suspicion.

Head Guard, if you need help interrogating those men, just let me know. My senior brother is confident in his interrogation skills.

Oh? Yes, of course. You do look like someone who would be good at interrogations.

The head of the guards was also courteous to Yi-gangs senior brother, Dam Hyun.

Dam Hyun, who suddenly became someone who looked good at interrogation, felt a strange mix of pride and annoyance.

H-hey!

Eventually, he discreetly moved away from the spot.

Yi-gang sat down and quietly closed his eyes.

Its good for the body to get proper sleep, but today, he couldnt help but have a restless night.

This time, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon interrupted Yi-gangs rest,

But honestly, it is irritating.

What now? You too?

You, what you! Call me sister!

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon insisted that Yi-gang speak informally to her. So, when Yi-gang called her you, she then insisted he should call her sister or alternatively lady.

Yi-gang, somewhat reluctant to do so, settled on still calling her you.

I really dont like that head of the guards. Acting so servile just because of some familys status.

My family must be intimidating to him. And, its understandable.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon shared a similar trait with Dam Hyun.

She disliked those who acted arrogantly because of their status or position. She believed that people were inherently equal from birth.

In short, she had a rebellious nature.

Living as a modern person before reincarnating as Yi-gang, he could understand these thoughts, but they were not ordinary for this era.

Therefore, Yi-gang vaguely thought that the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon must have been born in a less privileged environment.

He assumed she would also view him unfavorably.

What? Not particularly. I was referring to that head of the guards being irritating.

I do flaunt my power quite a bit, dont I.

Even so, Ive never despised or found you disgusting. Those who grovel are the pathetic ones.

Whats the difference?

Yi-gang was prepared to understand if the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon disliked him.



So, we cant enter the Alliance now?

Yes, please stay somewhere else for now. We will notify you soon.

It seemed that the governor was extremely angered as the fiend, the Face Plunderer, had not been caught.

With the governors fury, it seemed likely that he might even expel armed martial artists from Kaifeng, leaving the Murim Alliance extremely busy.

The disciples of the Azure Forest are staying at an inn. Why dont you head there?

Lets do that. Thank you.

Yi-gang looked for the inn where Jin Ri-yeon and her party had stayed.

But perhaps because it was still broad daylight, Jin Ri-yeon and the third-generation disciples were not there.

Upon asking the waiter just in case, the waiter scratched his chin and said,

Those people? They left this morning.

Did you hear where they went?

Yes, they went to catch that dreadful fiend with some other disciples.

So, where did they go?

Well, about that

The waiter, pretending to ponder for a while, cautiously spoke up when Yi-gang tossed him a few coins.

They went to meet with the Low Down Sect. Hehe.

The Low Down Sect?

Yi-gang tilted his head in confusion, while Seo Saeng-won fiddled with his fake beard to ensure his disguise hadnt been compromised.



Jin Ri-yeon and the third-generation disciples had indeed come to meet with the branch manager of the Low Down Sects Kaifeng branch.

To capture the fiend, gathering information was the first step. The Murim Alliance had already acquired the information collected by the Beggars Gang, so they needed more information from the Low Down Sect, which could be considered part of the unorthodox faction.

Their participation in the investigation of the Face Plunderer stemmed from a visit by an inspector of the Murim Alliance to the inn where they were idly staying.

He greeted Jin Ri-yeon with a fist salute and exclaimed, I came straight here upon hearing that Miss Jin had arrived in Kaifeng!

He was the inspector who had worked with Jin Ri-yeon to capture a fiend during the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.

Remembering Jin Ri-yeons achievements, he earnestly requested her help.

Youre asking for help in tracking down the fiend?

Yes. It would be a great help if Miss Jin could join us.

What I did last time was just good luck.

Jin Ri-yeon declined, seemingly unenthusiastic.

However, the inspector persisted in his persuasion.

Theres no need to feel burdened. We are already conducting a separate investigation. Disciples from other sects are also cooperating.

Disciples from other sects?

The talented ones from the Zhongnan Sect and Diancang Sect are helping us. They came for the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.

Jin Ri-yeon still looked troubled, but then the third-generation disciples stepped forward.

With eager eyes, they persuaded Jin Ri-yeon. They didnt want to miss the chance to participate in the exciting investigation of a fiend.

Alright, lets go together.

Thats a wise decision!

Eventually, she accepted the inspectors proposal, wanting to give the third-generation disciples the opportunity to meet other disciples.

The third-generation disciples from the Azure Forest needed the chance to learn more about the world.

And the place where they met the other next-generation successors was a tea house operated by the Low Down Sects Kaifeng branch.

A young swordsman with a blue hero sash tied elegantly saluted first with a fist.

I am Zhongnans Flowing Cloud Flying Dragon, Lee Jae-il. The swordsmanship of the Azure Forest is indeed as remarkable as the rumors say.

The young man with the sophisticated nickname Flowing Cloud Flying Dragon smiled, revealing his white teeth.

Everything from his clothes to his manner of speaking and behavior exuded the aura of a noble martial artist.

The young man beside him was equally splendid.

I am Diancangs Lightning Flash, Yu Tae-jin. Haha. Its my first time meeting people from the Azure Forest.

The nickname of the Diancangs next-generation successor was also impressive.

Unlike the Azure Forest disciples, these young men seemed to have already gained their nicknames through their adventures in Jianghu.

Indeed, it was common for next-generation successors participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference to have such nicknames.

Yu Su-rin felt somewhat intimidated.

So did the great senior brother, Son Hee-il. Even though there were three of them, they felt this way.

However, one person was not intimidated.

The now youngest, Jun Myung, stepped forward and saluted with a fist. His voice was booming.

Greetings! I am the third of the Green Forest Exterminators from the Azure Forest, Jun Myung! Ugh!

The scream at the end was because a flustered Yu Su-rin had swiftly struck his abdomen.

Son Hee-il quickly covered Jun Myungs mouth at the same time.

Hahaha! This guy, really!

Haha, my junior brother made a slip of the tongue.

Son Hee-il and Yu Su-rin desperately tried to manage the situation.

The next-generation successors from Zhongnan and Diancang were taken aback.